Advice: which resort for us

[KIMHELMS99]

Hi! Looking for some advice. While not new to Disney still far from experienced. We have only stayed at 4 different resorts. We we are going back for 2 weeks originally thought we might split our stay between AKL and OKW. We have been reading the boards and thought we might change our mind and stay at the Poly for the 1st week and switch to OKW for the 2nd.

Here's a little info going mid-end Aug of 2005 with DH, 2 granddaughters, ages then 6 & 9 and myself. We will have a rental car.

Have stayed at 1. FW didn't like..bus service, remote location, limited choices for eating, pools. 2. AKL loved, rooms were new, loved watching the animals from the balcony, granddaughter loved Mara & Jiko, liked the pools and hot tubs. Didn't really care for parking. 3. OKW definitely our favorite, spacious rooms, lovely balconies, close to DTD, parking was always good, decent pools.

Any advice would be appreciated. Sorry post is so long!

 

[grumpyandbashful]

You might consider one of the Epcot deluxes - Beach and Yacht Club have the wonderful Stormalong Bay pool, are a short walk to Epcot, a boat ride to MGM (boat ride is fun in and of itself!). The whole area is very pretty, especially at night. You can rent a surrey bike and ride around the Boardwalk area. Only drawbacks are not much in the way of quick food (no food court). Parking could be better, but it's not any worse than AKL.
Good Luck deciding!

 

[Parrothd]

I highly recommend the Polynesian......especially if you've never stayed there. You won't be disappointed. In my opinion, it has the BEST theming of any Disney resort with great pools, great restaurants and the best beaches on Disney property......not to mention the most convenient location (transportation-wise) to all points in the WDW complex.

Like I said, I don't think you'll be disappointed with that choice!!!!!!

 

[KristiKelly]

Stormalong Bay at BCV is great, my kids loved it, and Beaches N'Cream is a great place to eat.

 

[KIMHELMS99]

So many choices. I'm glad I have a little time before I have to make up my mind.

Thank you for your advice.

 

[BCV23]

I agree that the Polynesian/OKW would be a great choice. Romms are tons bigger than AKL, great pools, very friendly CMs, great restaurants and room service. You can watch Wishes and the Electrical Water Pageant from the beach or pool area. The beach is great for basking or sand play. The transportation is the best. Launches or monorail to MK or walk to the TTC and catch the ferry to the MK or the EPCOT monorail. If you bus to the other resorts, you can return on the resort or TTC bus, whichever comes first.

It really speaks Disney magic to me.

 

[pumpkinboy]

So what would be cooler for girls 6 and 9? Animals like giraffe, zebra and wildebeest right outside your balcony at AKL? Or would it be the volcano pool (AKL's pool is cool too), access to the monorail and Tiki gods all around.

So both are really cool for 6 and 9 yr olds, but I would say that they would think that the animals are cooler. How about asking them?

OKW for the second week sounds great as the rooms are larger, and the whole resort is so relaxed.

 

[KIMHELMS99]

Pumpkinboy,

I already did ask them, but they aren't sure either. The 9yo has been to AKL and she does love it but after showing her pictures of the Poly she is pretty excited to try something different.

I did read a post today about the pools at the Poly being super busy in August with resort and non resort guests. I also heard the parking can be terrible.

Although the parking at AKL is not great this definitely puts a spin on things. Just more to take into consideration I guess. Has anyone been to Poly mid to end of Aug? TIA.

 

[Parrothd]

With everything else being equal (in your mind), the Polynesian is the obvious choice here (at least it is in my mind). Trust me, being on the monorail circuit is a LOT better than not being on the monorail circuit. Being in one of the original "Magic Kingdom" resorts is beyond compare with anything else offered at WDW. It's something EVERY Disney fan needs to experience at least once. Then again, I'm a WDW purist.......with my first trip/stay being in 1972.